Google Immediately Use Machine Learning To Estimate User Age

Google will use machine learning to estimate the age of the user. (photo: x @ohmohm ·)

JAKARTA - In a blog post on Wednesday, February 12, Google announced several new steps regarding the safety of children on the internet. Google will begin testing new features this year that take advantage of machine learning to estimate the age of users.

This "machine learning-based age estimate" model will try to predict whether a user is under 18 years old. If the user turns out to be under 18 years old, Google will use AI to implement appropriate age filter settings to their accounts. This allows the search engine giant to "provide a more age-appropriate experience" across its platforms.

Google Will Implement AI Age Filter

Google will limit content on YouTube that may not be suitable for users under 18 by using machine learning models and artificial intelligence (AI). After the US, the company plans to gradually expand its age estimation technology to more countries.

Google will also continue to "explor additional opportunities to provide greater transparency to users about age estimation at the account level," The Verge reported on Wednesday.

Modelmachine learningGoogle will make predictions based on data such as the type of information users are looking for, the video category being watched, and the age of their account.

For example, if a user is often seeking information about mortgage or tax loans, most likely the user is over 18 years old. The same applies to accounts that are over 20 years old.

If Google's machine learning and AI models predict that a user is still a minor, YouTube will apply its standard protection to provide more age-appropriate content.

The platform will also block explicit or age-limited videos for accounts under 18 years of age. Restrictions for users under this age will also include theSafeSearch FilterGoogle, which blocks explicit content from search results.

School Time feature

In addition, Google announced that the School Time feature will soon be available for Android phones and tablets. So far, this feature is only available as a smartwatch application on Fitbit Ace LTE and Galaxy Watch for Kids.

This feature is part of Google's parent control appFamily Link.School Time allows parents to determine what phone features and apps their teens can use during school hours.

Parents can use the School Time feature to select which apps are still active while allowing text messages and calls from certain contacts. The goal is to minimize screen time and help children focus on their lessons while still allowing emergency contacts.

Google will begin rolling out this functional to compatible devices "in the coming months".